Parachutists and A-10 Flyover To Kick Off 2nd Annual Vets Parade
Philadelphia – October 31, 2016 – The 2nd Annual Veterans Parade opens with a spectacular parachute jump and a flight of A-10 aircraft leading off more than 150 groups and participants marching down Market Street to Sixth Street in Center City Philadelphia on Nov. 6.
The parade starts at noon at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard and will continue around City Hall east on Market Street to Sixth Street and viewing stands where opening activities will take place.
New to the parade this year is a Veterans Festival that will be held on Market Street from 5th to 3rd Streets, where everyone is welcome to enjoy live performances, enjoy a great collection of food and beverages, a rock wall that challenges both adults and children, as well as activities for children, such as face painting and balloon artists.
Another important aspect of the Festival are the 34 veteran service organizations where former and current service members and their families can receive information geared to their needs. The free festival is open from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additionally, items for Veterans care packages, including toiletries, canned goods and other nonperishable articles, will be collected at the National Constitution Center during the Festival.
The Ohio All Veterans Parachute Team, with flags streaming, will land in front of Independence Hall around 12:30 p.m. followed by a flyover by the 175th Wing of the Maryland Air National Guard in their famed A-10 Aircraft, the tank killers of the conflict in the Middle East.
Featured in this year’s parade are the Valley Forge Military Academy, First City Troop, Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the Wells Fargo horse-drawn coach, cadets from six Philadelphia Junior ROTC programs, the Gold Star Families and about 300 motorcyclists. The Parade Grand Marshal is Tuskegee Airman Eugene Richardson, WWII Army Air Corps of Philadelphia. Also returning this year is philanthropist H. F. ”Gerry” Lenfest, parade Grand Marshal Emeritus.
Comcast Corporation is this year’s presenting sponsor and other significant supporters include PECO, KPMG, Wells Fargo and the United War Veterans Council of New York, which puts on its own Veterans Parade. The parade, which is a city-sponsored event in partnership with the non profit group, Philadelphia Veterans Parade Inc., would not be possible without the support of Congressman Bob Brady and Council President Darrell Clarke and his staff. Organizing sponsors are the Philadelphia Veterans Advisory Council and the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
More information about the Philadelphia Veterans Parade, the route, and associated activities can be found on the parade website:
www.phillyveteransparade.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/philadelphiaveteransparade
Twitter: twitter.com/phillyvetparade
#phillyvetparade
Parade Media Contact: Sherri Jones (215) 431-9108
Veterans Parade Public Service Annoucement starring Councilman David Oh (a U.S. Army Veteran) and Philadelphia Veterans from the Veterans Advisory Commission.
Photos from the 2015 Parade
Photos: Jared Piper/PHLCouncil
